Daily Habits for Healthy Detox

Staying hydrated is very important for your body’s everyday detox processes.

The human body has an amazing capacity for clearing out the toxins it encounters on a daily basis. According to the University of Hawaii, toxins found in the environment continue to grow in number and mass with each passing year. Likewise, food supplies undergo a series of preparation and processing stages that employ a wide range of chemicals not meant to be consumed by the body on a regular basis.

That being said, a person can still expect to live a relatively healthy existence provided the amount of toxins ingested doesn’t exceed the body’s detoxification capacities. Unfortunately, this is often not the case within today’s fast-paced, “can-do” culture. Fast foods, congested cities and high stress levels continue to challenge the body’s ability to maintain a healthy equilibrium.

Daily habits for healthy detox can go a long way towards helping the body along in its efforts to prevent toxin build-up from everyday exposures.

Water In, Water Out

Water In – Drinking lots of water throughout the day keeps the body’s tissues and internal organs flushed and cleaned. As a morning habit, drinking a glass of warm water with lemon and a couple drops of apple cider vinegar can go a long way towards stimulating the digestive tract and prepping it for the day’s food intake.

Water Out – Sweating can help mobilize toxins and flush them out through the skin. Whether it be a daily workout routine or daily hot sauna, the release of toxins helps support the body’s natural detox process.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables contain an assortment of phytochemicals, which stimulate enzyme production in the liver. As the liver plays a central role in detoxing the body, the more enzymes in play the more efficient the liver becomes.

A daily diet that includes cruciferous vegetables includes one or more of the following items:

• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Cabbage
• Broccoli

Protein Intake

Lean, as opposed to high-fat, proteins provide the body with needed protein materials without the toxin-risk, fat content. On average, lean proteins contain less than three grams of fat per each single serving. Lean protein sources to choose from include:

• Wild salmon
• Chicken
• Black beans
• Oatmeal
• Sunflower seeds
• Soy

Reduce Toxin Intake Amounts

Besides dietary intake, toxins can enter the body through the everyday items we handle. Plastic residues from food containers and plastic bottles contain bisphenol-A or BPA chemicals known for their harmful effects on the brain as well as the body’s hormonal levels. Cosmetics, such as sunscreen, makeup and perfumes may also contain BPA materials. Reducing daily toxin intake amounts gives body detox processes a leg-up on maintaining a toxin-free system.

Reduce Daily Intake of Processed Foods

Poor dietary habits account for most of the toxins a person ingests on a daily basis. Processed foods, in particular, contain any number of additives, preservatives and chemicals that quickly overwhelm the body’s detoxification system.

Eliminating, or at least reducing one’s daily intake of processed foods offers an effective means for allowing the body to detox naturally and efficiently.

Processed foods to avoid include:

• Artificial sweeteners
• Potato chips
• Canned foods
• Processed sugar
• Foods with coloring agents
• Snack bars
• Pocket sandwiches
• Cheese snacks
• Sugary drinks
• TV dinners